Aerial view of cloud and mountains while entering Tibet.

Aerial view of Lhasa.

Aerial view of International Airport in Lhasa. Tibet.

Aerial view of Lhasa.

Aerial view of River Yurlung Tsangpo in approach to International Airport in Lhasa. The river is called Brahmaputra in India.

Aerial view of Lhasa.

Aerial view of bridge that extends over river Yarlung Tsangpo that goes through Lhasa Valley. Tibet.

Lhasa, Tibet.

Times Square in downtown Lhasa, Tibet.

Jokhang Monastery in Barkhor, Lhasa, Tibet.

Tibetan Pilgrims offering prostration at Jokhang Monastery in Barkhor, Lhasa, Tibet. This temple is the oldest and the most revered religious structure in Tibet. It dates back to 639-647 A.D. and its construction was initiated by King Songtsen Gampo to house the Buddhist images brought to Tibet by his Nepalese wife, Queen Bhrikuti. In recent centuries the main statue in this temple is that of the Sakyamuni, which was brought to Tibet by Songtsen Gampo's chinese wife, Wong Cheng in 641 A.D. Pilgrims from all over Tibet come here to worship and prostrate themselves in full length in front of the main doors of the temple.

Jokhang Monastery in Barkhor, Lhasa, Tibet.

Tibetan Pilgrims offering prostration at Jokhang Monastery in Barkhor, Lhasa, Tibet. This temple is the oldest and the most revered religious structure in Tibet. It dates back to 639-647 A.D. and its construction was initiated by King Songtsen Gampo to house the Buddhist images brought to Tibet by his Nepalese wife, Queen Bhrikuti. In recent centuries the main statue in this temple is that of the Sakyamuni, which was brought to Tibet by Songtsen Gampo's chinese wife, Wong Cheng in 641 A.D. Pilgrims from all over Tibet come here to worship and prostrate themselves in full length in front of the main doors of the temple.

Mindroling, Tibet.

Monastery door handle blessed with Khata. Mindroling, Tibet.

Mindroling, Tibet.

Monastery door handle blessed with Khata. Mindroling, Tibet.

River Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.

River Yarlung Tsangpo in Lhasa, Tibet.

Tsedang, Tibet.

Tbetan kids play around tricycle in Tsedang, Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Fluttering prayer flags in Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Prayer hall of nunnery below Chimpu cave. Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Prayer hall of nunnery below Chimpu cave. Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Journey to cave in Chimpu. Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Fluttering prayer flags in Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Fluttering prayer flags in Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Overview of main building of Samye Monastery in Tibet. Samye Monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mount Meru in the centre. Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of tantric Buddhist cosmology. The main temple is full of Tibetan religious art in mural and statue forms, as well as some important relics.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

A Tibetan pilgrim rotates Prayer wheels at Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Altar with Sakyamuni Buddha inside a personal chamber of the Fifth Dalai Lama at Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

The main building (utse) of Samye monastery representing Mount Meru. The ground floor of whitewashed stone slopes inward. The middle floor balcony is enhanced by a row of small stupas. The horizontal sections painted red indicate the building is religious. Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Chorten at one of the corner of the main building (utse) of Samye monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

The main building (utse) of Samye monastery representing Mount Meru. The ground floor of whitewashed stone slopes inward. The middle floor balcony is enhanced by a row of small stupas. The horizontal sections painted red indicate the building is religious. Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

The inscription pillar (rdo rings) at Samye monastery. It is standing up against the east wall of the great temple. The inscription is the earliest document relating to Buddhism being declared as National religion in Tibet. It appears to be splattered with white paint at the top.

Samye Monastery in Tibet.

Samye Monastery in Tibet. The Monastery is laid out on the shape of a giant mandala, with the main temple representing the legendary Mount Meru in the centre. Other buildings stand at the corners and cardinal points of the main temple, representing continents and other features of tantric Buddhist cosmology. The main temple is full of Tibetan religious art in mural and statue forms, as well as some important relics.

Samye, Tibet.

Scenics while driving out of Samye. Tibet.

Tsedang, Tibet.

Overview of Yarlung Valley in Tibet. At the ridge of Chingwa Tagtse Castle is a Dzong, the ancient residence of the Yarlung Kings and birthplace of HH 13th Dalai Lama.

Tsedang, Tibet.

Seen on the background are tomb ground of 20 honorable Kings of Tibet. This place is called Chongye Burial mounds. Tsedang, Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Tsedang, Tibet.

Statue of 33rd Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo with his consorts Bhrikuti (A Nepali Princess) on the left and Wen Cheng (A Chinese Princes) on the right, at Nyngmapa temple in Yarlung Valley. Tibet.

Yumbhu Lakhang Palace in Yarlung Valley, Tibet.

Golden statue of Sakyamuni enshrined inside Drandruk temple at Yumbhu Lakhang Palace in Yarlung Valley, Tibet.